Toddler Mealtime Seating….

[Rockgirl]

I currently have a 12-month-old and a sixteen-month old, who eat in high chairs. Between now and November, two more toddlers around that same age will join our group. I ultimately want to transition everyone to the table, but I can’t picture that happening. The 12-month-old is definitely not ready.

In the past, I started seating eighteen-month-olds at the table….I had little tikes picnic tables, and I put one side against the wall, with the toddlers sitting there so they couldn’t fall back. Now I have a round school table and wooden chairs (no arms on the chairs). How can I make this work? Is there an option I’m overlooking? My high chairs are unfortunately not height-adjustable, or I would just scoot them up to the table. Are there any booster chairs that would work with a child-sized chair?

[Blackcat31]

I have my boosters seats on my child sized chairs
Here everyone eats at the table

[GirlMomma]

I’m not sure how big your school table/chairs are, but I use these. I have a bar height kitchen table, I attach these to the chairs each morning and remove them at the end of the day. They’re less than $20 at Walmart and a huge space saver compared to high chairs. I store them stacked in my pantry, the tray is removable and the entire seat is very easy to clean. The straps are removable and can be cleaned easily with hot soapy water or in the washer in an undergarment bag.

[Rockgirl]

Thank you both! I will measure my chairs and compare with boosters—I’m happy to see they can be used in a child-size chair. I’m ready to be done with these space-hogging high chairs!

[flying_babyb]

You could buy a strap for your chair, kinda like high chair straps but they secure to a regular chair. Google toddler chair straps

[Rockgirl]

I did see some chair harnesses and slings on Amazon, and keeping those in mind. Thank you!

[Cat Herder]

Mine are at the GINORMOUS dining room table with boosters. It is required. I have to sit there, too, "within arms reach" every time they touch food. I hate it. I have to eat what they do (modeling, teaching table) and I don't want to eat every two freaking hours. I had to buy a massive 8-seater for the first time in my life. I was lucky in that most people are trying to get rid of bulky furniture so I got it for a steal.

That said, it is fun to decorate the table for the holidays again. I had stopped because my kids moved out and the magic was gone.

[Rockgirl]

Dictating when, where, and what YOU eat is absolutely ridiculous. 😖

[Alwaysgreener]

There was another poster that said she had to eat with the kids and she just pushed the food around her plate.

I can't eat half of what I feed the kids due to food allergies. I would be inclined to complete a food substitute/allergies from for myself (possibly even have my mom sign it, lol) stating what I couldn't eat. Then if I was busted for not eating, I would show them the form.